Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-06-22


of devsing means to comply with the laws
of the Postoffioe Department in relation to
cities desiring to secure the benefits of the
free delivery system.
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
the Mayors communication was read, in
which he calls the attention of Council to
the matter of properly numbering tho
houses OF the city. He enclosed letter
from Mr.. r. l.. Carne concerning the mat.
ter, the latter stating that Mr.. J. H. Cha
taigue, who is the compiler of the city Di-
rectory, offers TO place numbers on every
house in the city at the rate of twenty-five
cents apiece.
The communication and accompanying
letter was received, when
Major w w. Herbert, Postmaster of the
city. presented and had read letter he had
received from Mr.. De La Rue Harrison,
Postoffice Inspector, concerning free delivr
cry in Alexandria, in which the latter calls
attention to the fact that the streets of the
city are not properly named nor the houses
uniformly numbered which will be requi-
site before the advantages of the free deliv-
cry system can be availed Of also one
from Mr. A. Z. Stevenson, First Assistant
Postmaster General to the same import.
Mr.. Strauss inquired if it was necessary
for Council to enact any special laws to
comply with the requirements OF the laws
of the department.
The President thought there was sufc-
lent law already on the subject, and referred
to section 4, chap. 5 of the corporation laws
providing for the proper numbering of
houses
Mr.. Bryant, however, seemed to think
there was some defect in the law quoted
especially the section providing for the col
lection Of the sum charged for the numbering
it appearing that the city was to pay for
the work done and charge the amount to
property holders with their taxes. He
thought the seeming defect could be reme'
died by amending the statute so that in the
event of the property owner failing to pay
the contractor, the latter could report the
delinquent to the proper officers. MIR.
Bryant in his remarks said he could see
nothing in the decimal system or why it
should be adopted here.
The President Mr.. Downham) suggested
that the matter be referred to the Commit
tee on streets to report next Tuesday night.
Mr.. Bryant called attention to the fact that
that committee had dwindled down TO two
Mr.. Corbett, Of the other board, and him
self; hence they could not summon quo
rum to consider the matter.
Mr. Strauss spoke in favor of doing any
thing reasonable in the way of REMEMBERING
houses or naming streets in order to avail
ourselves of the free delivery system, and
sa id places smaller and less pretentious than
Alexandria were enjoying modern privileges
abo Mt which we were apparently uncon-
cerned In regard to placing the names of
the streets on the corners, he gave history
of an attempt made three or four years ago
TO have the names painted on glass and
placed across the tops OF gas lamps, and
said the plan WIS allowed 10 fall through
from the fact that the committee consider
ing the subject were equally divided con-
cerning the utility of the plan, and in voting
ALWAYS ended in tie. He still thought that
idea practicable There were l60amps in the
CITY aud the posts could be made perform TO
double duty in the capacity OF guide boards
and lampposts AT present strangers VINO
come to Alexandria are often seen d9tend
ing their necks or Keeling around Ike
drunken people endeavoring TO ascertain the
names of the streets. He grew fervent and
exhorted the Aldermen To DO progressive,
and remember the business boom when was
,,bout TO overspread the city, and be pre-
pared to greet it by using every endeavor to
III oterniZe the city.
Mr. Downham Mr.. Moore in The chair
thn11pht the matter one which should not
had heeD read from the Washington au-
tborities il seemed obligatory on the city to
name the streets and number the houses be-
fore free delivery could be ordered for Alex
andria A simple numbering of all houses
conId he done with little trouble and at
small EXPENSE and houses already number
Ad need not be remembered the old figures
,,ould be retained if legible, but Council
should make numbering compulsory ana 10
he done by u certain date There was but
one way. il seemed to him, for the city to
avail ltself of The free delivery system, and
that was 10 comply with The rules OF the
Posto fice Department.
Mr. Strauss moved TO refer the subject TO
the Committee on Streets, with power TO act,
when
MIR. Moore asked Mr. Herbert, who was
present, if he knew how many carriers
would be allotted to Alexandra.
Mr.. Herbert replied that he did not
Mr.. Moore could not see what apecia
benefit the system would be to business
men ANYHOW. Most of them would send to
the office for their mail, aud not walt Tor
the carriers. He copcurred in MIR. Down
hams remarks concerning the retaining OF
the old numbers if numbering was made
general. In speaking OF naming the streets
he said he spent several weeks IN Louis
vile. Ky, six years ago. That place has q
population of 5000, and duriug his stag
there he never saw the name of street
either on corners, lamp-posts or anywhere
else.
Mr.. Strauss again spoke fervently in favor
of meeting all requirements in order that
the free delivery system might become in
vogue here, and supposng Mr.. Moore had
.poken disparagngly of the scheme, was
surprised at the member throwing iirebrands
at the project.
Mr. Moore said the fhsilade of the gentle
man fl I'M the Second ward was but a tenn
nest in tea. pot He did not oppose the
measure; Oh the contrary, he had conceded
with Mr.. Downham.
The matte was further discussed, during